24 July 2025
Silvera’s Resident Resource Navigators program is helping residents negotiate life as seniors in Calgary. Two Silvera employees have been promoted to new positions as RRNs to provide extra support to residents.
“The Resident Resource Navigators program bridges the gap between residents and resources, offering personalized assistance to those who may struggle to access or know what’s available,” explains Sandi Montford, Senior Manager, Supportive Living and Campus Operations.
How RRNs help residents
Whether it’s helping with housing applications, connecting individuals to healthcare services, or providing guidance about transportation options in the community, the navigators are there to help people who may be experiencing difficulties or who are just unsure where to turn.
“Navigators help ensure residents are accessing everything they’re eligible for, such as financial supports including government pensions, health supports and resources, prescription and dental programs, loss and grieving supports, mental wellness resources, homecare referrals and legal needs,” explains Sandi.
With the addition of eight new IL communities this spring, RRNs are still determining what supports these new residents may need. As a result, the RRNs have been connecting with those residents to perform wellness checks and needs assessments to determine where there may be experiencing gaps in supports.
About the RRNs
The navigators are active members of the Silvera community who understand the unique needs and challenges faced by residents, allowing them to offer tailored support.
“It’s important to me to create trust with residents so they can communicate with me honestly,” says Faduma Warsame, an RRN at Aspen.
 |
 |
| Faduma Warsame | Susana Benjamin |
RRNs work together with Resident Support Coordinators, who provide social work supports at Silvera.
RRNs also help independent living residents transition to supportive living communities, helping to explain what residents may experience when they move.
Both new RRNs were Silvera employees with previous employment experience providing social services supports.
Susana Benjamin began her Silvera career as a receptionist at Shawnessy early in the pandemic. She became a receptionist at Gilchrist, then Spruce, before taking on the RRN role. In her original country of India, Susana was a licensed social worker and has a master’s degree in medical and psychiatric social work.
Faduma had extensive case work experience at non-profit community and social services organizations in her previous hometown of Ottawa.
Residents who need support can reach out to the admin employees in their communities for a referral to either a Resident Support Coordinator or a Resident Resource Navigator.